Can You Microwave A Starbucks Paper Cup?

While drinking Starbucks, one question that always popped in my head was, “Can you microwave a Starbucks paper cup?”.

If you are a coffee lover like me, you would know how amazing Starbucks is. You can get whichever type of coffee you want in just a few minutes.

However, sometimes I forgot to drink my coffee on time, and then it would get cold. The microwave is the best way to reheat your coffee in situations like this. However, if you are still unsure whether to reheat the Starbucks coffee with its cup or not, I have the answer for you.

I did a little experiment to see if Starbucks paper cups and other Starbucks cups are microwavable or not. So, let’s get started.

Is it safe to microwave a Starbucks paper cup?

No, Starbucks paper cups are not microwave-safe, and you should not heat them. If you want to reheat Starbucks coffee, use a different method.

It is easier to assume that Starbucks paper cups are microwave-safe because they are paper-made. However, this cannot be more wrong.

Even though the cup mainly consists of cardboard, the paper cup liner is plastic. And as plastic is not microwave-safe, the cup isn’t safe to heat either.

Moreover, Starbucks uses adhesive glue to build their paper cups. This is another reason why the Starbucks paper cups are not microwave-safe.

With that said, this issue is the same with most paper cups out there. Most cups have a plastic liner which makes them durable and prevents soaking up the liquid while you use them. This is why you should not microwave any paper cup unless you are sure it is microwave-safe.

Can you microwave reusable Starbucks cups?

No, Starbucks reusable cups are not microwave-safe either. They are not made to withhold intense heat exposure and can burn during microwaving.

Frequent Starbucks users would know that Starbucks offers reusable cups. These cups are made of plastic and ceramic instead of paper. And this different material might make you believe that they are microwave-safe, but that is not true.

The plastic used for making Starbucks reusable cups is not microwave-safe. Meanwhile, the Starbucks reusable ceramic cups are way too thin and can chip under intense heat exposure.

The only way to determine if the Starbucks reusable cups are microwave-safe is by looking at their bottom. If they have a microwave-safe label at the bottom of the cup, they are safe to microwave. Otherwise, you should steer away from microwaving them.

How do you reheat Starbucks coffee in the microwave?

As you should not microwave the Starbucks paper cup, how would you reheat the Starbucks coffee? Well, the answer is simple, follow these steps to reheat Starbucks coffee in the microwave:

  1. Transfer the Starbucks coffee to a microwave-safe glass.
  2. Microwave it for 30-45 seconds on medium heat.
  3. Take out the coffee, and stir it.
  4. Repeat the process till the coffee is up to your preferred warmth.

The process looks too simple, right? Well, it is not.

The method to reheat coffee depends on different factors, such as the coffee cup, the type of coffee, etc. So, it is an intuitive process.

Keep checking your coffee while it is reheating. As everyone’s preferred temperature of the coffee is different, take it out when you like it.

However, do not reheat the coffee for too long, or the Starbucks coffee will turn bitter.

Tips for Microwaving Starbucks Cups

Microwaving Starbucks cups seems like a straightforward process. However, there are so many different Starbucks cups that are not microwave-safe. And, in the process, you can ruin your drink and your microwave.

So, here are a few tips to remember when microwaving Starbucks cups to prevent hazards.

  1. Check the bottom of the Starbucks cup before microwaving it. And only microwave it if it has a microwave-safe label at the bottom. 
  2. If the cup does not have a “microwave-safe,” and neither does it say “Do not microwave,” pour water into the Starbucks cup. Then microwave it for 30 seconds on medium heat. After the interval, if the cup is hotter than the water inside it, the Starbucks cup is not microwave-safe and should not be heated.
  3. If you are still not sure if the Starbucks cup is microwave-safe or not, just pour the liquid into a microwave-safe cup instead. You can then microwave that cup and pour the coffee back into the Starbucks cup for serving.
  4. Always remove the lid of the Starbucks cup while microwaving it. This will allow the beverage to warm up evenly and quickly and save the cup from building pressure and exploding.

Frequently asked questions

Can you microwave a Starbucks mug?

No, you should not microwave a Starbucks mug. The mug has “Do Not Microwave” written on it, which means it is not safe to put in the microwave. Microwaving a Starbucks cup that is not microwave-safe can ruin your drink and cause issues for your microwave.

So, if you want to microwave your drink, just put the coffee in a microwave-safe cup instead before microwaving it.

Can you microwave Starbucks tumblers?

No, Starbucks tumblers are not microwave-safe.

The Starbucks tumblers are designed to keep hot beverages hot and cold beverages cold for a longer time. On the outside, the Starbucks tumblers are made with stainless steel. But it also uses reusable plastic.

As neither stainless steel nor plastic is microwave-safe, it is best not to put the Starbucks tumblers in the microwave.

Instead, you can reheat the coffee in a different microwave-safe cup and keep it in the tumbler to prevent it from getting cold.

Are Starbucks red cups microwaves safe?

According to Starbucks, the Starbucks red cups are made from BPA-free plastic. Hence, you can not only put the dishwasher, but they are also microwave-safe.

However, Starbucks has received some complaints about the red cups in the past. So, to be extra cautious, microwave the Starbucks red cups only for shorter time intervals. And if you notice the cup is getting hotter than the liquid inside, stop the microwave.

Why can’t you microwave Starbucks ceramic cups?

We have always considered ceramic a microwave-safe material. Most of the microwave-safe ware is made with ceramics and glass. However, when it comes to the Starbucks ceramics cup, it is better to avoid microwaving them.

The reason behind this is simple. Starbucks ceramic cups are thin, and intense heat exposure for a prolonged period can chip them. 

Are Starbucks color-changing cups microwaves safe?

Starbucks is not currently selling Starbucks siren or Starbucks color-changing cups. But if you have an old Starbucks color-changing cup, do not microwave it.

Even though there is no definite information about the plastic used for Starbucks siren cups, the cups do not have a microwave-safe label. Hence, microwave the coffee in a microwave-safe up first and then pour it into the Starbucks siren.

Which cups are microwave-safe?

You already know that Starbucks paper cups are not microwave-safe. Then which type of cups should you use to reheat your coffee?

Well, the best type of cups to reheat your coffee in the microwave are glass and ceramics. Both of these materials are microwave-safe. However, if the cups have silver or golden trim, or if the cups have any metallic handle, then avoid microwaving in them.

Always look for the microwave-safe label at the bottom of the glass and ceramic cup to ensure they are safe to heat.

Final Words

Now you finally know if you can microwave a Starbucks paper cup or not. When it comes to any Starbucks cup, the rule is simple. Look at the bottom of the cup and check if it has a “Microwave-safe” label or not.

If the cup lacks the label, you can assume that it is not safe to reheat. Transfer the coffee to a microwave-safe glass or ceramic mug and reheat it at medium heat.

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